Madison girls basketball tops Pittsford for district title

Saturday

Mar 1, 2014 at 8:30 AM

By Steven StrayerDaily Telegram Special Writer

The Madison High School girls basketball team was crowned Class C district champions Friday night in Hudson after a stunning 45-34 victory over the seventh-ranked and previously undefeated Wildcats of Pittsford.

The Trojans were able to avenge their only loss of the season, which came to Pittsford on Dec. 3, by coming up big in the fourth quarter in a very tight and intense contest. Both teams certainly left it all on the court, but Madison walked away the district title and high hopes as it moved on to regional action next week in Hillsdale.

Both Madison (19-1) and Pittsford (22-1) came out strong on the defensive ends of the court, as they contested each and every shot right from the start. Pittsford took advantage of some early second-chance opportunities and quickly grabbed a 6-0 lead. Pittsford freshmen Jaycie Burger and Madelyn Clark led the Wildcats from the point and paint while keeping their offense moving with composure you would expect out of upperclassmen. It was obvious that Madison would have their hands full due to Pittsford’s freshman tandem.

The Trojans wasted no time digging their heels in, and they clawed their way right back into the game. Madison senior Maddie McNeil took a charge on the defensive end of the court with two minutes remaining in the first quarter, and like a pendulum, the momentum began to swing. Madison’s Ashley Morris, Shayla Villarreal and Haley Hudson all knocked in shots for the Trojans to tie the game up after one quarter.

Madison kept the momentum with it as the game continued with Morris and Kendall Hudson coming up with two monster blocks that deflated Pittsford slightly and sent the Trojan fans to the roof. Both Kendall and Haley Hudson showed hustle for the Trojans, going after loose balls and scoring on the offensive end. Madison senior Haley Mellon kept things on fire for Madison as she dropped in a basket while getting fouled just before the half. Morris ended the half on a high note with another smashing block near the baseline, and the Trojans went into the half up 21-17.

“I think our defense was the difference in the game today, and the girls really locked down defensively,” Madison coach Rick McNeil said. “They (Pittsford) scored 60-something on us last time we played them. We hit some big shots late and did well on our free throws, but our defense was the key.”

Pittsford looked to push back at the Trojans quickly as senior guard Lyndsey Billington drained a 3-pointer on its first possession of the second half to make it a one-point game. Pittsford continued to push the ball to Clark on consecutive possessions down low, where she created some tough mismatches for the Madison defenders. Clark had 16 points on the night and led both teams in scoring. The Trojans’ tenacious heart and spirit would not allow them to lose any ground, though, and they continued to fight back.

Villarreal and Haley Hudson both came up big for Madison in the third by knocking in baskets as they were fouled and showing their teammates a we-will-not-lose mentality. Morris once again delivered on defense for Madison, as she swatted another misguided Pittsford shot out of bounds to give her three blocks in the game. Morris also led the team and game in rebounds with 14 on the night.

As the third quarter ended, Madison and Pittsford were all tied up at 28.

Madison came out in the fourth quarter and took its game up another level. The Trojans consistently were able to get to the free-throw line, where they shot 9-for-11 as a team in the fourth quarter. Haley Hudson and Mellon both hit 3-pointers in the final quarter, and Madison decisively put the game away with 17 fourth-quarter points.

Haley Hudson led the Trojans in scoring with 12 points. Morris added 11 points, while Mellon finished with nine.

“We told our girls that all that running around and conditioning really paid off tonight for them,” coach McNeil said. “I’m just extremely proud of these kids with their effort, with their heart, and with their desire. We’ve been outsized all year, but it’s all about their heart.”